SYMPTOMS ¾Crowns of the affected Ohia trees turn chlorotic (yellow) and will later turn brown within days to weeks with dead leaves remaining on the branches for some time. ¾Rapid Ohia Death may be seen as dark, nearly black staining in the sapwood along the outer margin of the trunks. ¾Freshly cut wood infected with C. fimbriata may give off an odor similar to ripe or rotting bananas. PATHOGEN ¾Rapid Ohia Death is a fungal disease which affects the vascular system of the tree and causes the xylem to fail to transport water to the foliage. This results in the wilting of the stems and leaves. ¾Soils under infected Ohia trees as well as in frass (i.e., sawdust) associated with wood boring beetles of infected trees, may provide other means of transporting the disease. Ohia forest affected by Rapid Ohia Death. Close up of the characteristic dark staining of sapwood from the fungus. WHAT CAN YOU DO? ¾Do not transport wood of affected Ohia trees to other areas. ¾Clean and sanitize all tools with freshly prepared 10% solution of chlorine bleach and water or by using a 70% rubbing alcohol solution. ¾Vehicles used off-road in infected forest areas should be thoroughly cleaned so as not to carry contaminated soil to healthy forests. Concerned areas include wheels threads and undercarriage of vehicles. ¾Shoes, tools, and clothing used in infected forests should also be cleaned, especially before being used in healthy forests. WHY SHOULD YOU BE CONCERNED? ¾Ohia trees make up more than 50% of all our native forests. ¾Our watershed is dependent on these native Ohia forests. ¾Depletion of the native Ohia forests will result in an invasion of non-native species, and could greatly affect native flora and fauna. ¾It has already killed tens of thousands of mature Ohia trees (Metrosideros polymorpha) in forests and residential areas in the Puna and Hilo Districts of Hawaii Island. ¾This disease has the potential to kill our native Ohia trees statewide. REPORT A PEST 643-PEST hdoa.hawaii.gov For updates and more information visit www.ohiawilt.org RAPID OHIA DEATH or OHIA WILT Ceratocystis fimbriata Ohia lehua liko are used for lei making. Background photo by Stephanie Collins Symptoms may first appear on a single branch (right fork of tree). Note left side of the same tree showing no symptoms, however, the entire tree is infected and within weeks will die from the fungus. Photo by J.B. Friday, University of Hawaii Photo by J.B. Friday, University of Hawaii Photo by J.B. Friday, University of Hawaii Photo by J.B. Friday, University of Hawaii Acknowledgements: Dr. J. B. Friday, University of Hawaii CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service Dr. Lisa Keith, USDA, Agriculture Research Service Dr. Flint Hughes, USDA Forest Service Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry

RAPID ‘OHIA DEATH – OHIA WILT BSYMPTOMS ¾Crowns of the affected Ohia trees turn chlorotic (yellow) and will later turn brown within days to weeks with dead leaves remaining on

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Page 1: RAPID ‘OHIA DEATH – OHIA WILT BSYMPTOMS ¾Crowns of the affected Ohia trees turn chlorotic (yellow) and will later turn brown within days to weeks with dead leaves remaining on

SYMPTOMSCrowns of the affected Ohia trees turn chlorotic (yellow) and will later turn brown

within days to weeks with dead leaves remaining on the branches for some time. Rapid Ohia Death may be seen as dark, nearly black staining in the sapwood

along the outer margin of the trunks.Freshly cut wood infected with C. fimbriata may give off an odor similar to ripe or

rotting bananas.

PATHOGENRapid Ohia Death is a fungal disease which affects the vascular system of the

tree and causes the xylem to fail to transport water to the foliage. This results in the wilting of the stems and leaves.

Soils under infected Ohia trees as well as in frass (i.e., sawdust) associated with wood boring beetles of infected trees, may provide other means of transporting the disease.

Ohia forest affected by Rapid Ohia Death.

Close up of the characteristic dark staining of sapwood from the fungus.WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Do not transport wood of affected Ohia trees to other areas. Clean and sanitize all tools with freshly prepared 10% solution of chlorine

bleach and water or by using a 70% rubbing alcohol solution. Vehicles used off-road in infected forest areas should be thoroughly cleaned

so as not to carry contaminated soil to healthy forests. Concerned areas include wheels threads and undercarriage of vehicles.

Shoes, tools, and clothing used in infected forests should also be cleaned, especially before being used in healthy forests.

WHY SHOULD YOU BE CONCERNED?Ohia trees make up more than 50% of all our native forests. Our watershed is dependent on these native Ohia forests. Depletion of the native Ohia forests will result in an invasion of non-native

species, and could greatly affect native flora and fauna. It has already killed tens of thousands of mature Ohia trees (Metrosideros

polymorpha) in forests and residential areas in the Puna and Hilo Districts of Hawaii Island.

This disease has the potential to kill our native Ohia trees statewide.

REPORT A PEST 643-PEST hdoa.hawaii.gov

For updates and more information visit www.ohiawilt.org

RAPID OHIA DEATH or OHIA WILTCeratocystis fimbriata

Ohia lehua liko are used for lei making.

Background photo by Stephanie Collins

Symptoms may first appear on a single branch (right fork of tree). Note left side of the same tree showing no symptoms, however, the entire tree is infected and within weeks will die from the fungus.

Photo by J.B. Friday, University of Hawaii

Photo by J.B. Friday, University of HawaiiPhoto by J.B. Friday, University of Hawaii

Acknowledgements:Dr. J. B. Friday, University of Hawaii CTAHR Cooperative Extension ServiceDr. Lisa Keith, USDA, Agriculture Research ServiceDr. Flint Hughes, USDA Forest Service Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry